Victoria Beach Residents Finally Get Their New Storm Wall

Victoria Beach Residents Finally Get Their New Storm Wall

Video report by Audrey Kuchen, Fox CT

Text by Crystal Hall, Fox CT

Homeowners at Victoria Beach in East Haven are in celebration mode now that the area has a new armored stone revetment wall to replace a nearly eroded dirt wall. The dirt wall was in a state of destruction after both Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy made landfall.

Residents’ homes were in danger. Patric Marchitto, president of the Victoria Beach Condo Association, said they petitioned DEEP but couldn’t get their permits approved before Sandy swept ashore.

“We enlisted the help of Mayor Maturo and Sen. Fasano to help move the process along and protect our properties from future storms,” Marchitto said.

Sen. Len Fasano said this is the first seawall protection to go along Long Island Sound in Connecticut.

“It prevents erosion,” he said. “It takes the velocity out of the waves so that if it does come toward the unit it would decrease the amount of destruction it would cause on the units.”

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning homeowners expressed their appreciation.

“We’re very happy. We think we can handle anything at this point,” said Joe Perrelli.